Our first-year students recently had the opportunity to nominate their Peer Mentor for the award of Peer Mentor of the Year.
We’re very proud of our five winners, Xin Lim, Wen Soo, Yee Lee, Chloe Lee and Aathira Manigandan.
Find out from our winners all about what it’s like to be a Peer Mentor...
I decided to become a Peer Mentor because I remembered how nervous and lost I felt before starting my university. I gained a lot of comfort from the welcome letter I received from my Peer Mentor before university started and by the experiences they shared with me. It eased my worries as I felt supported and that I was not feeling all this anxiousness alone. I benefited from the relationship and had a great experience during my first year thanks to my Peer Mentor and I hope to do the same with my mentees.
I think a mentee can expect to receive advice and tips from a Peer Mentor who has faced and experienced the same things they are currently coping with.
I think I have developed and enhanced several transferable skills, such as my communication skills and leadership. It was also a great opportunity to meet new people, especially during the pandemic.
As a Peer Mentor, I helped my mentees with questions they had about the course and signposted them to the relevant department or person for help. I shared with them my own experiences and answered their questions about various things, such as exams and assignments and gave them advice.
Mentees can expect Peer Mentors to share their experiences of being a student. So, if you are wondering what your course is like, just ask your Peer Mentor. While they may not be able solve all your queries, they will be able to direct you to the relevant departments and people that can do so.
Being a Peer Mentor requires time and commitment. It also requires the willingness to support others. However, it is rewarding experience. You don’t have to be an amazing student to become a Peer Mentor. You just need a willingness and desire to share what you have learned and your experience as a student during your time at university.
It was overwhelming and exciting as it was unexpected. It was nice to have the work I put into the role acknowledged by my mentees. I am really grateful for what I have gained from the experience of being a Peer Mentor.
If you feel like trying it out, why not!? I really think it’s a fun and exciting process. You will definitely have lots of fun and develop new skills throughout. I think everyone should try it out! But it’s good to keep in mind that there are certain responsibilities that we have for our mentees.
I was definitely shocked and wasn’t expecting it. I’m glad my mentees nominated me and trusted me by leaning into the process and experience. I had a great experience and I would do it all again in a heartbeat!